March 6, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E291
hope that some day, greatness will rise up in PRINTING OF A REVISED EDITION SABO, BIGGERT, and LEE, I will be introducing all of us. In the past several decades, several OF ‘‘BLACK AMERICANS IN CON- the ‘‘Permanent Housing Homeless Prevention notable Hispanics have fought for the world GRESS, 1870–1989’’ Grant Renewal Act.’’ heavyweight title, and despite their valor, have This bi-partisan legislation authorizes re- SPEECH OF newal of expiring Shelter Plus Care and SHP not achieved it; when one reviews the list, one permanent housing rental assistance grants sees how great this achievement is: HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY OF NEW YORK through the HUD Section 8 Housing Certificate 1923—Luis ‘‘The Wild Bull of the Pampas’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fund. Currently, some 75,000 vulnerable fami- Firpo vs. Jack Dempsey lies, including veterans, disabled, mentally ill, 1968—Manuel Ramos vs. Joe Frazier Wednesday, February 28, 2001 and other families at risk of homelessness, re- 1968—Oscar Bonevena vs. Joe Frazier Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in ceive monthly rental assistance under these 1973—Joe ‘‘King’’ Roman vs. George Foreman support of Authorizing the printing of a revised two important McKinney-Vento Act homeless 1977—Alfredo Evangelista vs. Muhammad Ali and updated version of the House document programs. 1978—Alfredo Evangelista vs. Larry Holmes ‘‘Black Americans in Congress.’’ The legislation is supported by a broad 1979—Ossie Ocasio vs. Larry Holmes I think it only seems fitting to pay tribute to group of national and regional organizations 1983—Lucien Rodriquez vs. Larry Holmes the African American men and women who which fight homelessness, including Catholic Charities, the National Alliance to End Home- John’s win has special personal significance served in these hallowed halls. African Ameri- cans have a long history of serving in this lessness, the Corporation for Supportive for me. As a former ball-player, both in school great institution. For many years, they were Housing, and the National Alliance for the and semi-professionally, I recognize the spe- not welcomed by all of their colleagues. Still Mentally Ill. These groups have jointly written cial labors of our athletes, and the inspiration these men and women persevered and paved ‘‘to offer our support and assistance in moving that athletics can play in our lives, particularly the way for all of us serving in Congress this important legislation forward,’’ and noted to minority youngsters. Athletics can be a mo- today. that ‘‘This bill will have the effect of providing tivating factor, something that gives us a I am proud to stand here with nearly 50 of new housing to more homeless people with sense of identity, something to work for. Ath- my colleagues in support of this bipartisan disabilities, as well as preventing catastrophic letics ultimately caused me to finish school, piece of legislation. losses of housing for some of the most vulner- serve my country in the military, go to college, As a young man, I can remember admiring able Americans.’’ the work of Shirley Chisholm, the first African Renewing Shelter Plus Care and SHP per- and become a community college trustee, As- American woman elected to serve in the manent housing through Section 8 is a solu- sembly Member, State Senator, and Member United States Congress from my home state tion to the annual uncertainty over renewals. of Congress. It was not always easy, but I had of New York. Former Congresswoman Chis- Currently, when the initial term of a Shelter role models, and I am pleased that John is a holm was first elected into office in 1968, as Plus Care or SHP permanent grant expires, a role model for today’s youth. a representative for the 12th Congressional grantee must re-apply each year for continued I would hope that Hispanic youth, indeed, all District of New York and served for 15 years assistance. If a grant is not renewed, the fami- the youth of America, look at the achievement until she retired in 1983. lies which are receiving rental assistance under the grant face the risk of eviction and of John Ruiz and see they can reach equally She was a great advocate for education, day care and providing other resources to im- homelessness. great heights, whether it is in athletics, aca- prove the quality of life in inner cities. She This is not an idle risk. Just fourteen months demics, or the world of business, science, also fought to decrease defense spending and ago, HUD failed to renew rental assistance public service, or the arts. America’s youth to end the military draft. I believe that Ms. grants for thousands of families nationwide. It need to know that we believe in them, and Chisholm’s legacy is one that should always took an emergency supplemental appropria- they should believe in themselves. Because be remembered, honored and cherished along tions bill in July of last year to reinstate fund- God gives us all talents. with many others. That is why this publication ing for these grants. In the interim, many com- munities were forced to scramble for funds to In the short run, there is nothing so sweet is so very important. Since its last publication, an additional 40 cover the gap; many families confronted the as a victory, and nothing so stinging as a de- distinguished African Americans have served very real risk that they would lose their month- feat. But what is ultimately important is good in either the House or Senate. Moreover, ly rental assistance. sportsmanship, good conduct, playing a wor- many of the biographies of several senior Last year, the House devised a permanent thy game, facing a worthy adversary. Living to members of the House have grown outdated solution to this problem, as part of the House fight another day. In that sense, both John and I believe that the time has come to revise VA–HUD appropriations bill. That bill funded Ruiz and Evander Holyfield are to be saluted and reprint this important historical work. all renewals of expiring Shelter Plus Care and honored, for they fought with their hearts, This legislation would allow the Library of grants through the HUD Section 8 Housing Certificate Fund. This approach would provide they fought with their souls, they gave Amer- Congress to revise the current volume under a reliable source of renewal funding. Unfortu- ican an exhilarating match, one that dem- the direction of the Committee on House Ad- ministration. In addition, the bill would allow for nately, the Senate did not go along with this onstrated athletic artistry and great courage approach, and the final conference report, under fire. And they should raise their hands, the copying, binding and distribution of the book to Members in both the House and Sen- while providing a separate account for renew- together, in a clasp of goodwill, knowing they ate. als, does not provide a reliable, long-term have fought the good fight, the noble fight. Mr. Speaker, this next edition of ‘‘Black funding source. The best approach was and Their bruises will heal, but they will always Americans in Congress’’ will undoubtedly be a still is renewal of all expiring Shelter Plus Care share a brotherhood of having met in the ring, great resource and a treasured addition to and SHP permanent housing grants through where champions are made, and courage test- every member of the House and the Senate, the HUD Section 8 Certificate Fund. That ap- ed. as well as the Library of Congress and librar- proach is embodied in the ‘‘Permanent Hous- ing Homeless Prevention Grant Renewal Act,’’ I am sure that John’s community, where he ies throughout this country. I urge my colleagues to join in support of which we are introducing today. got his start boxing, is very proud of his this concurrent resolution. Moreover, this approach is justified on broad achievement. John’s hometown, Chelsea, has policy grounds. Congress routinely renews f one of the largest Hispanic populations in portable and project-based Section 8 rental Greater Boston. It has been a Mecca for some PERMANENT HOUSING HOMELESS assistance; only the most vulnerable families of the all-time boxing greats. I would also like PREVENTION GRANT RENEWAL most at risk of homelessness face the annual to salute John’s family, his wife Sahara and ACT risk of non-renewal. Funding these renewals through Section 8 their children John and Jocelyn on this HON. JOHN J. LaFALCE also means that critically needed new perma- achievement. And so I say, congratulations, nent and supportive housing proposals will not God Bless. OF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have to compete with renewals for scarce re- sources. And, providing a reliable source of Tuesday, March 6, 2001 renewals after the initial grant term will make Mr. LAFALCE. Mr. Speaker, today, along it easier for project sponsors to build perma- with Representatives WELLER, FRANK, QUINN, nent housing.
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